The door closed behind me and I slowly made my way to the bed where Alyx's form was lying beneath the covers.
Her eyes were closed and she looked peaceful, as her chest slowly rose and fell. A warm feeling was building up in my chest and a smile came to my lips. But it faded when her breath hitched and she opened her eyes to look up at me.
''Did I wake you?'' I asked her uncertainly as I sat down. She shook her head and smiled, ''It's fine,'' she said as she stretched and scooted over to me. ''How'd it go?'' she asked softly as she took my hand.
I took a breath and squeezed her hand gently, ''Unexpectedly good, actually,'' I said as I stared at the wall expressionless. ''That's good, isn't it?'' she said as she tried to catch my gaze. I looked at her and frowned.
''It is. Of course it is. But he was behaving...strangely,'' I said absent-mindedly. Alyx watched me uncertainly. ''What do you mean? Strange how?''
I shrugged and looked at her. ''He was saying he 'understood' and he even gave me advice. Doesn't that sound odd?''
I was wondering if maybe he had experience with the situation Alyx and I were currently in. He was certainly talking about it like he had, but I just couldn't imagine him and...
''Maybe he was just trying to assure you? He has been a little more fatherly, lately, hasn't he? Maybe he's progressing?'' Alyx suggested. A sigh escaped my lips. ''He might. But I think something else was going on, too,'' I said softly as I looked at her.
She smiled at me and brushed my hair from my eyes as she cupped my cheek. ''Whatever it is, the fact that he accepts this remains the same,'' she whispered as her hand slid down to my neck and she looked into my eyes, searching for a reaction.
It was only then, that a smile broke my lips and I raised an eyebrow, watching her grin at me before I slowly leaned in and replied in a whisper, ''Well, that's really all that matters, isn't it?'' before our lips met and she smiled, running her hand through my hair as she leaned back against the wall.
☘
The day went by quite uneventful as Alyx and I joked around a little. We broke some rules, steered clear of other people and went outside for a bit. However, I was cautious not to be seen by anyone and my mind was alert as we strolled through the forest. I urged Alyx to stay close to the castle so we could retreat when necessary.
Once we returned to my chambers, I noticed that Robert had returned. He was sitting on the dresser, ruffling his feathers as we entered. I wondered how he had managed to get in. I knew for certain that the window had been closed when we left. But my thoughts were quickly forgotten as he soared toward me, settling on my shoulder.
He croaked cheerfully as he spread his wings, looking at me sideways. Until he suddenly froze and gently touched the sensitive scar on my cheek with his beak. ''It was the crazy woman from the graveyard,'' I explained softly, as I swallowed. I had been trying not to think about what had happened because every time it returned to my mind, a sickening feeling came to the pit of my stomach. So I tried to keep myself occupied.
''But where have you been? I haven't seen you in a long time,'' I said with a smile as he hopped off my shoulder and soared to the bed, settling down, tucking his wings away.
He croaked and watched me knowingly as his gaze was switching between me and Alyx. I grinned at him and raised my eyebrows. ''You're a pain,'' I whispered as a grin broke my lips and I took Alyx's hand.
There was a knock on the door and it opened a few seconds later. I let go of Alyx's hand and sent her an apologetic smile as I faced the door.
Grindelwald's head appeared around the corner, peeking inside before fully opening the door. ''Just checking if you were 'busy','' he said to me as he entered the room. I rolled my eyes at him but smiled. ''What can we do for you?'' I asked him as I went to stand next to Alyx.
''Could I have a word with you, in private?'' he asked as he held the door open, not even considering a reply. I rolled my eyes and left the room, waiting for him to follow.
Once the door closed he watched me momentarily, before speaking. ''Plans have changed. We need to do this quickly. People have started talking. It's been spreading like a wildfire. Besides, they have been making assumptions, you're in more danger every passing second. We have to put this right,'' he said as he walked down to the window and looked out at the forest.
I watched him with a slight frown as I joined him at the window. ''So what are you proposing?''
His gaze remained trained on the scenery outside, as he said, ''I'm proposing to do this rally in two days,'' he said evenly. My mouth fell open. ''Two days?'' I muttered. ''How on earth are you going to make that?'' I whispered.
''Look at how quick the news has spread. If it becomes known that I am willing to reply to this, people will come, it'll need a day, maybe two,'' he said. ''We already have a location. It'll take place in a mansion in England, near the border of Scotland,'' he said. I swallowed and looked at the bare trees below. And I mumbled, ''It's fine with me, as long as I won't have to wear a dress.''
His reason sounded vague. At first, he had seemed uncertain and shocked by what had happened, and I had had the suspicion he would wait as long as he could to settle the storm. Because in the back of my mind, it had still felt like it was all about him and his reputation.''What has changed your mind so abruptly?'' I asked softly.
His eyes found mine and we held the eye contact momentarily and hesitation flashed across his features before he opened his mouth and softly said, ''I found a man in the castle plotting against us. He used to be a trustworthy man, but his loyalties have shifted after the Ministry's little announcement. He was seeking to turn you in,'' he said.
''I knew that this would happen, and yet I did nothing about it. But I realize now, that if we continue to ignore it, you will be back in the Ministry before we know it,'' he said softly.
The unsettling feeling in my stomach returned at the memory, and I desperately sought some means of distraction. ''What did you do to him?'' I asked, looking down at the ground.
There was a silence as he watched me expressionless. ''Don't worry about it, it's been taken care of,'' he said. He turned to walk away before I could say anything else until he suddenly turned, ''Oh, and there won't be dinner in the hall tonight. Everyone will be having dinner delivered to their rooms separately,'' he said before he turned back around to walk away.
I needed to tell him something. Talk to him. But as I watched him stride away, the courage dissolved and I just stood there, watching him go as tears filled my eyes and a flash of red light filled my vision, followed by the sentence, ''There is no escape.''
☘
The next two days were spent sitting around with occasional visits from Grindelwald. Alyx and I attempted to stay out of sight as best as possible. Until it had all been sorted out, it might be best not to be seen, or stay alone.
His visits grew more occasional as time passed, and I suspected that there was another reason besides the delivery of information. I believed he was checking on us now and again, his worry winning whenever considering another possible attack on my safety.
Alyx and I decided to go to sleep early the night before the rally. I wanted to be able to face any disruption or attack if necessary. Robert was sitting on the back of a chair, his head hanging low and his wings tucked away, the soft occasional sound coming from his beak.
I was lying on my back, staring up at the ceiling, my arm around Alyx's shoulders and her head rested on mine. I listened to her gentle breathing and blinked as a flash of light blinded me momentarily, and the maniacal laughter of Lillian pierced the silence.
I closed my eyes, trying to shut out the memories. A scream. Did it belong to me? Or was it someone else's?
I froze and remained still as Alyx's breath hitched and she snuggled closer against me, fortunately, she continued sleeping. I did not want to talk about it, never again. My hand touched the sensitive skin where the deep groove had started, trailing it down to my chin.
Tears filled my eyes but I blinked them away, refusing to let it overtake me. I took several deep breaths and closed my eyes momentarily, waiting anxiously if any more flashbacks would come.
And it was only when the sun had started peeking over the horizon that I finally drifted off into an uneasy sleep, only to be woken by Alyx, shaking me roughly. I sat up with a gasp as my eyes opened and disorientation hit me.
''You were talking in your sleep,'' she said softly. It was only when my mind cleared up that I realized tears were staining her cheeks and rose in her eyes. I watched her with a sad frown as her lip trembled. ''What did they do to you?'' she whispered as she gently hugged me.
I swallowed and the frown remained on my face as I hugged her back, staring at the wall. And it was only when I reassured her I was fine, which I did not manage to do convincingly, that she retreated and watched me concerned.
''You know it helps to talk about these things?'' she said as she took my hand. I shook my head and stood up from the bed. ''I don't need to talk. I'm fine, I promise,'' I said to the wall as I took my wand from the nightstand and made my way to the dresser where a heap of fabric laid.
I raised an eyebrow and noticed the note resting on top. I unfolded it and scanned the contents.
I got you this for tomorrow,
G.G
I put the note down and took the bundle from the dresser, noticing the silver embroidered letters on the edge of the hood, (First letter of your name).Grindelwald.
I stared at it and frowned as I allowed the cloak to fall open so I could examine it more carefully. The fabric itself had a very dark shade of green and a tree with no leaves embroidered on the back. I watched it as I swallowed and glanced at the charm on my bracelet. The trees were exactly the same, only the circle was missing on the cloak.
''Who is it from?'' Alyx asked as she joined me, examining the cloak. ''It's from my dad,'' I said softly. The word still felt foreign on my tongue, but it gave me a sense of safety whenever I used it.
Alyx smiled at it and felt the soft fabric. ''It's beautiful,'' she said. But I was too busy to hear her. My gaze was fixed on the letters on the hood. He considers me a Grindelwald. He gave me his last name.
It was then that a smile flashed across my lips and I swung it around my shoulders to find it fit me perfectly.
''It's his way of telling me something,'' I said softly as I fastened the cloak around my shoulders. Alyx raised an eyebrow. ''And what's that?''
I smiled and took her hands. ''That he has accepted me,'' I whispered with tears in my eyes.